Signal switching apparatus



Oct. 14, 1941. w. F. KRAGER 2,258,706

SIGNAL SWITCHING APPARATUS Filed March 15, 1940 I Inventor Patented Oct. 14, 1941 UNI TE D S TAT ES T F F- l CE SIGNAL SWITCHING A'BPARATUS William Kra-ger, Minneapolis," Kans.

"ApplicationMarch 15, 1940, Serial No. 324,192

' 3' Claims.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in signal switching apparatus.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a switch for signals of the direction type which involves switch means which can be preliminarily set to operate indicating means, but which will automatically disrupt when the intended move has been executed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the switch means.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 showing the contactor in engaged position.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view disclosing the electrical connections between the electrical devices involved.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals designate like parts, numeral 2| denotes the automatic switch which consists of a cup-like structure 22 in which adisk 23 seats. This disk 23 is formed with a pair of openings 24-24 oversized to receive spring clip contacts 25 and 26, one or the other 01' which can engage a contact end portion 21 of the contactor which further includes the conductor spring 28 connecting this contactor member 21 to the binding post 29 on the bridge member 30 of insulation, which extends diametrically across the cup-like structure 22 above the bottom thereof.

An arm 3| extends from the edge of the disk 23 and overlaps the hub 32 of a steering wheel 33 which has several humps 34 provided thereon.

Obviously when, for instance, the contactor 21 is thrown to engage the clip contact 25, current will fiow from the battery 35 along the conductor 36 to the contactor 21 and from there to the contact 25 and along the conductor 31 to the forward right lamp l4 and from there by way of the conductor 38 to the rear right lamp [4 and then to ground. Had the contactor 21 been thrown to the contact 26 the circuit would have been through the wire 39, front left lamp [3, conductor 40 and to the rear left lamp l3 and ground.

Obviously, when the steering wheel 33 has been moved to execute the turn, a hump 34 will actuate the arm 31 and tilt the disk 23 so that it will be moved upwardly to lift the contactor 21 out of the corresponding contact clip 25 or 26,

' thus breaking the current signal circuit. .The

disk 23 tilts on an axis extending through the openings 24, 24.

Numeral 4| denotes the usual automobile transmission and numeral 42 represents the reverse and low gear slide. A sleeve 43 of insulation is placed on the rear end portion of this slide 42 and this is adapted to carry the contactor 44, which is capable of engaging either the contact 45 or the contact 46, The contact 45 is connected by the conductor 41 to the Go bulb I8 in the front signal and a conductor 48 extends from there to the corresponding lamp l8 in the rear signal 6.

A conductor 49 extends from the contact 46 to the back bulb H in the front signal 5 and from there the conductor 50 extends to the corresponding lamp I! in the rear signal 6. Obviously, shifting of gears will result in energization of either the Go lamp or the Back lamps, depending upon the movement of the slide bar 42.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A signal switch, in combination with a steering member having a pair of spaced switch controlling bosses thereon comprising a case, a disk tiltably mounted in the case, one side of the case having an opening therein, an arm extending from the disk and through the opening and being disposed across the steerable member in the path of the bosses, a pair of spring clip contacts in the case, said disk having a pair of openings therein through which the spring clip contacts project, said disk having a central opening, a flexible elongated contact member extending through the central opening and having one end anchored in the case, said elongated flexible contact being adapted to be engaged in either one or the other of the spring clip contacts, said disk being adapted to be tilted by engagement of one of the bosses against the arm to dislodge the elongated flexible contact from the spring clip contact holding the same.

2. A signal switch, in combination with a steering member having a pair of spaced switch controlling bosses thereon comprising a case, a disk tiltably mounted in the case, one side of the case having an opening therein, an arm extending from the disk and through the opening and beinvention, what is ing disposed across the steerable member in the path of the bosses, a pair of spring clip contacts in the case, said disk having a pair of openings therein through which the spring clip contacts project, said disk having a central opening, a flexible elongated contact member extending through the central opening and having one end anchored in the case, said elongated flexible contact being adapted to be engaged in either one or the other of the spring clip contacts, said disk being adapted to be tilted by engagement of one of the bosses against the arm to dislodge the elongated flexible contact from the spring clip contact holding the same, said case having a cross member of insulation mounted therein and on which is secured the spring clip contacts and the elongated flexible contact.

3. A signal switch, in combination with a steering member having a pair of spaced switch controlling bosses thereon comprising a case, a disk tiltably mounted in the case, one side of the case having an opening therein, an arm extending from the disk and through the opening and being disposed across the steerable member in the path of the bosses, a pair of spring clip contacts in the case, said disk having a pair of openings therein through which the spring clip contacts project, said disk having a central opening, a flexible elongated contact member extending through the central opening and having one end anchored in the case, said elongated flexible contact being adapted to be engaged in either one or the other of the spring clip contacts, said disk being adapted to be tilted by engagment of one of the bosses against the arm to dislodge the elongated flexible contact from the spring clip contact holding the same, said elongated flexible contact having the property of springing to an upright position extending through the disk when disengaged from a spring clip contact.

WILLIAM F. KRAGER. 

